Honeymoon Down Under

[Guest mr. snappy]

My fiance and I are getting married on October 21. We have been planning on spending at least two weeks in Australia for our honeymoon. Neither of us has ever been there.

Talking to people and looking at travel guides etc., two concerns have arisen:

(1) would this be during the "rainy season" and, if so, is it really that bad?; and

(2) will we be able to dive in the Great Barrier Reef without getting killed by jellyfish (Irukandji; "sea wasp" box jellyfish), octopi (Blue Ring carries enough toxin to kill 26 people within minutes), and/or other strange and deadly sea creatures. I'd rather get eaten by a lion in Africa than be killed by a miniscule freakin' jellyfish.

I would also greatly appreciate any recommendations for places to see and things to do, as well any other thoughts, comments, ideas, etc., including (prejudices aside) with respect to New Zealand and Tasmania.

Also, what's the best place to buy cigars in Australia?

Thanks very much in advance.

[Tampa1257]

» Also, what's the best place to buy cigars in Australia?

1st: Congrats on the marriage and the up coming honeymoon.

2nd: I have no idea about the Jellyfish, personally I'd be more concerned about the Great White Sharks when diving around the Great Barrier Reef.

3rd: Surly you most be joking about the above comment! Since you are posting here at FOH, there is ONLY one place to buy cigars from while in Australia. Club Czar! If you have any question about that, just contact Rob for his opinion.

[Guest mr. snappy]

Yes, definitely kidding about the cigar part. Guess I should have used a smilely face or something.

I will have to figure out how to get to the bricks & mortar location, though.

I definitely worry about sharks, but at least I can see them

[JMH]

» 2nd: I have no idea about the Jellyfish, personally I'd be more concerned

» about the Great White Sharks when diving around the Great Barrier Reef.

Great Whites stick to the cooler waters further down south. As for the box jellyfish, I'm not so sure. Just take a look at a few different divers websites such as [link=http://www.divingcairns.com.au/home.html]this one[/link] and I'm sure you'll be able to find all the info you need regarding both the diving and the climate.

There are a fair few great places to visit all over oz and nz, so how much travelling do you want to do?

[El Presidente]

October is before the wet season in Australia's North. Nice time of year as it is still not unbearably hot as in December/January/Frebruary (Wet season in the tropics).

Don't worry about the Jellyfish, Sharks, Sea Snakes, Salt Water Crocodiles, Blue Ringed Octopus or rogue dolphins. You are top of the food chain man! These animals can smell fear which is the reason they kill tourists. I would be more concerned about being left out in the water by a dive charter boat whose captain can't count past 10 (always book on a dive charter with less than 10 people so that the the Charter Captain can use both hands to count).

My recommendation would be to stay on one of the islands near Cairns (Lizard Island is awesome) and dive straight off the beach.

I would suggest one week on an island and 3-4 days n Cairns so you can see a little of the tropics.

To get an idea of the scale of Australia you need 6- 8 weeks, deep pockets and you will have seen 1% ;-)

Finally, pop in through Brisbane and I will take you and your bride to Lunch :-D

[PorscheC4S]

» Talking to people and looking at travel guides etc., two concerns have

» arisen:

A trip like that takes a lot of planning. You have the right idea. I'm sure Rob would be more than happy to send you numerous travel brochures in the next 4 months. I find they are very therapeutic when contemplating just about anything. The best of luck with the trip and the marriage!

[Maverick]

» (1) would this be during the "rainy season" and, if so, is it really that

» bad?; and

»

» (2) will we be able to dive in the Great Barrier Reef without getting

» killed by jellyfish (Irukandji; "sea wasp" box jellyfish), octopi (Blue

» Ring carries enough toxin to kill 26 people within minutes), and/or other

» strange and deadly sea creatures. I'd rather get eaten by a lion in

» Africa than be killed by a miniscule freakin' jellyfish.

»

» I would also greatly appreciate any recommendations for places to see and

» things to do, as well any other thoughts, comments, ideas, etc., including

» (prejudices aside) with respect to New Zealand and Tasmania.

»

» Also, what's the best place to buy cigars in Australia?

»

» Thanks very much in advance.

Congratulations on the wedding and superb choice of destination.

in answer to your questions:

(1) If you come to Brisbane we are in a massive drought/ water shortage, so I wouldn't worry about rain. If it looks like rain just go to the Dams because it never rains there.

(2) I would be more worried about the Dive Company forgetting your under water and driving back without you, has only happend a couple of times. Stuff only generally eats you when there hungry so I wouldn't worry.

(3) Australia is a stunning country, and you would want to give yourself a good 6 months to see it all, but honestly stick to the east coast, Brisbane/Sydney/and if your desperate to feel depressed Melbourne. Tones of really touristy things to do, but I would get out into the country and see some of the natural sights.

(4) Steve Irwin crocodile farm, I mean its bagged to hell, but at least you can say you've been there.

Regarding Cigar Retailer:

There is this one bloke in Brisbane at Bowen Hills, you might know his name, has a nice deck and might even put on the BBQ for you.

Regards

Ross...

[Guest mr. snappy]

El Prez,

That's a very generous offer; unnecessary but much appreciated. My lovely bride and I will definitely come say hello and I'd love to do lunch or dinner or whatever. I hope Lisa can join us as well (and let me take her Porsche out for a spin).

I know you're right about the size of Australia and how much it has to offer. Unfortunately we will only have 2-3 weeks. In terms of planning, it's so daunting that I don't even know where to start. We'll get it together though.

Anything I can bring you from the U.S. -- some genuine Budweiser, a box of dominican cigars, some Nathan's hot dogs, an "I Love NY" t-shirt, a Pittsburgh Steelers Terrible Towel?

Looks like a number of Aussies are in contention at the U.S. Open -- Scott, Campbell, Ogilvy, and Pampling (Woods, Els, and Goosen are stinkin' up the joint). Any chance you can set up a foursome with the Shark?

[El Presidente]

Any chance you can set up a foursome with the Shark?

Yeah....Greg Norman and I are tight

No problem getting together with the Wiggles :-D

[Maverick]

» Any chance you can set up a foursome with the Shark?

»

»

» Yeah....Greg Norman and I are tight

»

» No problem getting together with the Wiggles :-D

Count me in for the Wiggles and Norman party

Ross...

[Bill Hayes]

Early October in far north Queensland is a good time to go diving but it needs to be early October before the wet season and more importantly for diving, before the winds pick up. Diving out of Cairns is a good start and you can do just about anything from there. But Cairns itself isn't very beautiful. You can't swim off the beach as the water is murky before you get to the reef and full of crocs. 40 minutes further North is Port Douglas where you can swim off the beach and it's much more beautiful but of course more expensive and you can dive from there on all the tourist boat dives from pontoons and off Green Island. I'd agree with the Pres. If you've got the cash, stay at an island. Lizard is the best for diving but very pricey. Only 2-3 weeks I'd only stick to one part of Oz. It's too big. From North Queenland you can see the Daintree rainforest, the stunning Cape Tribulation and you could perhaps go a little further and see Kakadu but Kakadu may be a little full on for a honeymoon. You could leave or start from Sydney and see all the tourist stuff for a few days like the harbour bridge and opera house and bondi beach etc. Another great dive area in Oz in Ningaloo reef (check spelling) in Western Australia where you can see whale sharks and just about everything else. You could start in Broome if you went that option and even fly inland to see Alice Springs and Ayers Rock. Ahhhhhhhh! There's all too much and we've got so little time here. Make the most of it and all the best. :-D